Continuance of Unfit Service Members on Active Duty. Generally, when a Service member is found Unfit by the PEB, the Service member shall be separated or retired in accordance with this SECNAVINST 1850.4 (Series).PLD is defined as a need for a service member’s skill or experience that justifies the continuance of that service member on active duty in a limited assignment; the service member may be retained on active duty for a specified period of time.Each case is individually considered.The service member’s length of service to date is not a controlling factor in PLD decisions.

Members with more than 20 years of active service shall not be continued on active duty solely to increase their monetary benefits, nor shall they be continued unless their employment is justified as being of value to the Navy service.

PERS-454 may, upon a service member’s request, particularly from a service member with over 18 years but less than 20 years of active service, retain a service member who was found unfit to continue Navy service by the Physical Evaluation Board in a PLD status when such retention is in the best interest of the service and consistent with the guidance in SECNAVINST 1850.4 (Series).PERS-454 may authorize PLD for a Service member in order to provide continuity in a key, mission-essential billet pending relief or to meet needs of the Navy manning requirements.The PLD program is not intended as a pathway for retirement, but instead is based on mission-essential needs of the Navy.

Permanent Limited Duty (PLD) will not be approved when retention in a PLD status would jeopardize the service member’s health or safety, or that of others.